A friend recently posted a photo of a delicious-looking wrap from a new-to-downtown Rochester cafe named Lettuce. As a lover of salads and fresh greens of all sorts, I was excited to check it out. Today was the perfect day. After acquiring bags full of farm-fresh produce at the Farmers Market (no pressure Lettuce) my husband and I headed by foot to find this new cafe. Located on the southern portion of Main Street, it might be easy to miss and that would be a loss. This little cafe won my heart the moment I opened the front door.
Bright, beautifully decorated, and immaculately clean, we felt welcomed and comfortable exploring further. The eating area in the front, with large windows looking out onto Main Street, had enough tables to accommodate quite a few guests.
As we approached the counter to explore the menu, an array of fresh, appealing ingredients caught my eye. First, the selection of greens lived up to the hype. Spinach, Arugula, Romain, to name a few, along with a wide assortment of other veggies, beans, cheeses and diced and shredded meats. The menus, posted on the wall, included choices of salads, grain bowls, wraps and smoothies. Several combinations were offered on the menu, yet the chef were happy to substitute and add ingredients to suite my palate. This is a cafe where vegetarians, vegans, meat-lovers and those with gluten sensitivities will be equally satisfied: no small feat.
The owners, Tonya & Tom, were happy to share their story with us. Apparently this restaurant is their second venture as Independent business owners, following in the footsteps of their successful Shelby Twp. location. They hand pick their produce and other items from an outlet for local restaurants in Troy and it shows. Fresher than fresh. Ingredients are prepped by hand and proudly displayed so that each guest can watch their meal being prepared.
My husband ordered the Turkey Club Wrap and I ordered the BBque-A Wrap. We each had a number of substitutions in mind and Tonya was happy to accommodate us. The results were completely satisfying and delicious. We paired our wraps with Michigan-made kettle chips and iced tea and enjoyed every bite.
The price-point felt fair, with two full meals totaling $25. For a couple who would not be able to buy and eat this wide array of fresh plant-based items in a week, it feels like a good value and investment in our health.
Looking forward to returning to explore other menu entrees or to grab a healthy smoothie. I have a strong feeling that Lettuce will quickly become a favorite local cafe.
Stop by and welcome Tonya, Tom and their son to Rochester. They are the kind of folks we want to stick around. And enjoy their amazing food. read more